A Double Knot Part 65

Mr Douglas was of opinion that after the evidence of these witnesses his wors.h.i.+p would dismiss the contemptible charge, and tell his client that he left the court without a stain upon his character. At the same time, he hoped the police would be more careful, for he was informed that Mrs Huish had been most terribly alarmed, and that the consequences might be serious.

The police-sergeant was checkmated, and the prisoner was discharged at once, leaving the police court in the company of his friends.

"Yes," said the sergeant grimly, "he has done us this time; but if we don't put salt on his tail yet, I'll leave the force."

John Huish shook hands heartily with the doctor, who eyed him rather curiously, and then turned to d.i.c.k, who was, however, very distant.

"You'll come home with me," he said; but d.i.c.k shook his head.

"Not now," he said coldly; "another time. Come, father."

The old man shook hands heartily with his son-in-law, and whispered:

"d.i.c.k's a bit put out, my dear John; but it's all right. I'll put it all straight. I'll bring him on to-night."

Huish nodded, and shook hands then with the doctor and Miss Stonor.

"Good-bye, doctor; a thousand thanks! Miss Stonor, you'll excuse me. I am most anxious to get home."

Miss Stonor nodded and smiled, and Huish was turning away, when the doctor said:

"Run up and see me again soon."

Huish nodded a.s.sent and turned away, hailed the first hansom, and jumped in, the man smiling at him in a friendly way.

"Home, sir?" he said.

"Yes, quick. West--"

"All right, sir--I know," cried the man, and away went the cab.

"Driven me before," thought Huish, as he sank back in the cab. "Poor little darling! how she has been upset!"

He lit a cigar and smoked it, to settle his nerves as he termed it, and then his thoughts turned to the affairs of the past night.

"And suppose I had not been able to bring all those witnesses to prove my innocence," he thought. "How horrible!"

He moved about uneasily in his seat, for he was not satisfied. This was, after all, but another link in the strange chain of circ.u.mstances that had troubled him, and he shuddered and threw away his cigar, for his nerves refused to be settled. Somehow, a strange uneasy feeling kept increasing upon him, and at last he raised the little trap and shouted to the man to go faster.

"Suppose she is ill!" he muttered. "Poor darling! what she must have suffered!"

At last the cab was pulled up at the door, and Huish leaped out and ran up the steps without paying the man, who waited, while, not finding his latch-key, he rang sharply, and the cook answered the door.

"Where is your mistress?" he said sharply.

"Missus, sir? I haven't seen her since last night."

"What, has she gone home?"

"Home, sir? I don't know, sir--I mean, since you fetched her, sir."

"Since I fetched her, woman! Are you mad?"

"Not as I knows on, sir," said the woman, with the asperity of one in her profession. "You ast me where missus was, and I says as I ain't seen her since you fetched her last night."

"Since I fetched her last night! You mean the night before, to go out to dinner--Dr Stonor's."

"No, sir, I don't; I mean the very last night as is, 'bout half an hour after you was took."

"Yes, yes; go on," said Huish, turning ghastly pale.

"You come back and told missus quite sharp like to put on her things, and took her away in a cab."

"Are you--dreaming?" faltered Huish, staggering back against the wall.

"Dreaming! no, sir, of course not. And the poor dear got ready in a minute, and you both went off in a cab."

"This is horrible!" groaned Huish. "I never returned till now; I did not come and fetch her."

"Begging your pardon, sir, which you've forgot," said a voice behind him; and Huish turned round to find himself face to face with the cabman.

"Like me to wait, sir? Didn't pay me my fare. It was me as drove you and the lady last night."

"You!--what?--me?--the lady?"

"Of course, sir," said the man, smiling. "You hailed me in Praed Street, outside the station, and come on here, and you told me to wait.

Five minutes arter you comes out with the lady, and I took you down to Cannon Street."

"This is horrible!" groaned Huish again; and he clutched at the umbrella-stand to save himself from falling.

"The gent's ill," said the cabman hoa.r.s.ely.

"Yes, ill--ill," cried Huish; "no--better now. Tell me, both of you, did I come last night and fetch my wife?"

"Course you did, sir," said the cook in an injured tone, as if insulted at her veracity being impeached.

"If I might make so bold, sir," said the cabman. "I'd have a drop o'

short; it's nerves--that's what it is. I get a bit touched so sometimes, after being on. Shall I drive you to--"

"A doctor's?--yes," groaned Huish. "Quick!--to Dr Stonor's, Highgate."

"Highgate, sir? Hadn't you better go to one close by?"

"Quick, man!--to Highgate," cried Huish. "Here."

He thrust a sovereign into the man's hand, and ran down the steps to the cab.

"Right, sir," cried the cabman, running after him and climbing to his perch. "Lor'!" he muttered as he started the horse, "how willing a suv.